21 Nuggets of Wisdom for Launching Your Own Successful Small Business

The last decade has proven to be volatile and filled with uncertainty. Unemployment rates remain high while federal, state and local support services diminish. It’s no wonder people of all ages are seeking to become entrepreneurs and solopreneurs. In some cases, it’s the only option available. Small business owners enjoy a genuine sense of accomplishment and contentment. Operating a business necessitates having entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, persistence, tenacity and business insight.

Here are 21 Wisdom Nuggets for Launching Your Own Successful Small Business. They’re some of the fundamental steps for living the life of your dreams.

1. Identify Your Small Business and Products or Services

Select an emerging market niche where demand exceeds supply, one that exhibits long-term growth and strong profit margins. Offer a new problem solver venture, something innovative; secure your trade secrets. Perform your due diligence, and validate that the products and services you have chosen are what people need, want, and are willing to pay for. Determine what it costs to make your product or service, and then set a price. Be certain the business will contend robustly with your competitors. Maintain a competitive edge. Pick a relevant, definitive business name, and follow local procedures to assure it’s available (not trademarked or already popular).

2. Access Your Clients / Customers

Determine who your customers are, how you will locate them, and what their motivations for purchasing your products and/or services will be. Ascertain how you will reach out to them and scrutinize their business needs. Thoroughly inquire of their problems and perceived solutions. Display a genuine interest in them and their successfulness. Make well thought out offers to service their needs at reasonable prices. More than meet client expectations. Keep abreast of new technologies, techniques and standards. Share them with your staff, your partners and with your clients. If you keep your promises and perform with excellence, they’ll be around for a long time.

3. Determine Your Start-up Resources

Use Small Business Development Centers or Women’s Business Centers for business assistance, free training and counseling services, especially if you don’t have a business coach. Check out local, state and federal programs that assist new business startups. Save money by utilizing government surplus items from the Small Business Association (SBA), such as commercial real estate, vehicles, furniture, computers and office equipment. Utilize as much of your own money as possible. Obtain business licenses, permits and certifications as required for your specific business industry. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) may be needed.

4. Determine the Legal Structure of Your Business

The business structure you select affects your business identity, income tax filing status, tax liability, funding status, and even your client’s receptiveness.

Decide methodically which legal configuration best suits your small business: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, S corporation, nonprofit, etc. However, don’t turn the decision process into a major project. As your business grows, change will occur. As your company evolves, so will your legal structure.

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5. Prepare a Business Plan

The recommended business plan is simple, realistic, adjustable, and manageable. It provides focus, direction, clear financial objectives, data for loan requirements and it navigates your business success. It helps you to get well-acquainted with your profit numbers, determine projected start-up costs and marketing strategies.

A formal business plan is needed to incorporate your business or to operate as a partnership. Components for a good business plan include: cash flow projection, break-even analysis, budget, profit & loss forecast; business objectives; marketing plan; description of your target audience (customer-clients).

6. Ascertain Your Business Location

Decide where you want to locate your office, i.e., at home, in a shared office facility, a private office, or a retail area. (Home office space MUST be used solely and frequently for your business activities.)

Establish where you will meet with your client-customers. Be sure your office site complements the type of business you will be conducting. Choose a customer-friendly location, properly equipped, set-up and in compliance with zone restrictions. Retail office space should be in a good area accessible by major streets and public transportation.

7. Register Your Business Name and Domain Name

If you decided to operate as a sole proprietor, register your business name with either your state or county clerk. If you chose an LLC or corporation as your legal business structure, registering your business name when the formation paperwork is filed is generally acceptable.

Pick a domain name reflective of your company name, product and/or service. Register both your business name and your domain name with the state government. Apply for tax identification numbers as required by the Internal Revenue Service and your state revenue organization.

8. Protect Yourself and Your Business

Purchase small business insurance (fire, liability, business interruption, automobile and theft insurance, etc.) to shield yourself as well as your company against adversity and lawsuits. With a sole proprietorship or partnership, your personal assets can be confiscated by creditors, lien holders, and plaintiffs for settlements of claims and remunerations. Consider forming an LLC or corporation for greater personal asset protection; otherwise, creditors could take your vehicle, home, investments, etc. If a client or customer falls or gets hurt otherwise on your property, he can sue and cause you to lose everything.

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Another key to self-protection is that you learn from your inevitable mistakes. Your success depends on it.

9. Create an Accounting System

This task is best delegated to a certified public accountant.

Nevertheless, for the health and survival of your business, maintain an excellent understanding of your accounting system. Remain well-informed, constantly aware of how your small business is operating. The accounting system is the structure for financial statements, performance reporting, cash flow transactions, capital expenditure plans, budget variances, the establishment of fees and rates, and income tax preparations. Open up a bank account in your business name. Keep all of your documents well organized.

10. Monitor Your Finances Often

Watch the business funds – your company’s life-blood – frequently and consistently. Control your cash flow expertly and resourcefully. Review company bank statements and invoices. Put checks and balances in place; have audits conducted. Communicate with your vendors and creditors; keep a good rapport with them. As you prepare your initial budget, try to build in enough savings to cover six to twelve months of business operations, as well as an emergency fund. Exercise prudence and double-audit each expenditure. It is wise for you to share in your company’s money management.

11. Preserve Your Good Credit

Make it a point to pay your obligations on time, preferably early. This includes income taxes and especially payroll taxes from employee paycheck withholdings. Preclude being held personally responsible for paying back payroll taxes. The Internal Revenue Service is known for issuing harsh fines and penalties. Timely bill payments stimulate good business relationships and trust. Keeping a positive credit profile supplies a built-in safety net for meeting challenges and attaining financial backing when needed. Good credit is essential for profitable business transactions and sustainable cash flow.

12. Start Small

Endeavor not to over spend or spread yourself too thinly, limiting both your effectiveness and productivity. Try to do one or two tasks flawlessly.

Beth Laurence, J.D. in her article, Ten Tips for New Small Businesses, says, “Think small. Don’t rent premises if you can work somewhere else, and don’t hire employees until you can keep them busy. People who start their small business on the cheap …and create their first goods or services with more sweat than cash, have the luxury of making their inevitable rookie mistakes on a small scale. And precisely because their early screw-ups don’t bury them in debt, they are usually able to learn and recover from them. (Plus, running your business from home can save you tax dollars, too.)”

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13. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

This tactical, 30-second speech is given to your prospective client-customers highlighting their needs. Always be ready to deliver it. Personalized as necessary, the elevator pitch simply vocalizes your identity, product or service and business objectives. In the first 15 seconds tell your client-customers who are you, what do you do, and what problems you can help them solve. Use the next 15 seconds to add details about your unique selling proposition, special skills and specific ways you can support them. This technique helps convince your targeted audience that you have the experience, astuteness and expertise to furnish what they need.

14. Get and Stay Connected

Do not wait for business perfection, begin networking and recruiting suitable clients. Get actively involved with community activities, associations and meet-ups relative to your client base. Attend town meetings, join civic groups and the local Chamber of Commerce. Network with like-minded individuals; persons with whom you share common interests and mutual business goals. This will help you develop into a sought after business expert. Make frequent contacts with everyone who is supporting, purchasing and promoting your product and/or service.

15. Market and Promote Your Small Business

Eric Holtzclaw in his article 10 Simple Marketing Tips for Small Businesses says, “Marketing doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective…Start a podcast …and interview other business owners. People love to tell their story, and by highlighting them on a podcast you make an instant and meaningful connection.”

Place ads in your local newspaper, in trade magazines and publications. Send out brochures, flyers and postcards to prospective clienteles already motivated to purchase your product/service. Accept a leadership role in an organization, host an event, offer discounts, help with a good cause; support other small businesses. Request an interview on a local radio or talk show. Launch an email campaign.

16. Give Away Some Freebies

One of the greatest ways to attract customers, prove a genuine interest in them and add value to your business activities is to give away free stuff.

Your customers must see usefulness in it, however. For instance, offer sample products or free services like a webinar on how to attract and maintain customer loyalty, a free massage, or a free hour of consulting. Another great idea is to write a marketing book that tells your story and why the product or service you offer is the best resolution for their problems.

17. Get Every Commitment in Writing

Well-written and well-documented contracts make good business sense and are enforceable. They protect your health, your sanity and your business.

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Although oral contractual agreements may be valid, they can be very difficult to validate and impose. They are indeed hazardous to the long-term survival of your small business. Make it a general business rule to give and receive receipts for all business transactions. Even if not legally required, get every contract, commitment, offer letter, purchase order, lease, agreement and procedure in writing.

18. Hire and Partner With the Right People

Employ like-minded professionals, workers with similar goals, personalities and complementary skill sets. Avoid business sabotage and frivolous lawsuits by interviewing potential employees and independent contractors conscientiously. Evaluate their capabilities, work ethic, employment history, credit (where appropriate) and referrals. Establish ground rules and expectations along with clear consequences for violations. Publish these guidelines and procedures in handbooks, and ensure they are read. Administer the rules fairly at all levels and without partiality.

19. Document the Legal Status of your Workers

When you hire workers as independent contractors, make sure they shouldn’t really be taxed as employees. The IRS can impose substantial penalties against you for not withholding and paying taxes for a worker who is really an employee. Preclude this problem by having the worker sign a written service contract, or independent contractor agreement. When hiring an at-will employee, have the employee sign an offer letter that makes it clear the employment relationship is at will.

20. Get adequate rest and relaxation

Small business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the patient and the persistent. It’s for the overcomer.
– Unknown

Operating a successful business can be tough and demanding at times. To remain alert, energized and cognizant, you need to exercise, get ample sleep and rest each day. Consume the proper diet and nutrition. It takes a lot to keep pressing ahead while maintaining realistic expectations all along the way. Time-out and tranquility are a must for triumph.

21. Know When to Close the Shop

Sometimes no matter how well qualified you are, or how diligently you work, your plans do not materialize as intended. In those cases, you need to cut your losses and move on without delay. Consider where the flaw occurred and how you might have responded differently. Retrieve the lessons learned, rise above the challenge and move on to your next endeavor much more experienced and astute.

When you have implemented these 21 Wisdom Nuggets for Launching Your Own Successful Small Business, you will have accomplished the essential business liftoff actions. Just remember that operating a thriving small business is an expedition, not a sprint. Efficiently manage your income producing, administrative and operational activities. Take great care of your employees and clients.

10 Reasons Why Following Your Passion Is More Important Than Money

Elite Daily have got some great points as to why you should chase down your dream job, regardless of how much the wage is. If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your career, maybe it’s because you’re on a path that doesn’t connect with your passion? Maybe it’s time to steer right off that road and take a different route:

Money is a very powerful thing, it builds empires and breaks down kingdoms, it allows for dreams to come true and it takes others away, it makes some people happy and others completely miserable. Today the pursuit of money is almost directly linked to the pursuit of happiness, many will argue that money = happiness.

However, this is inherently problematic as this mindset leads many people to stray down a path that doesn’t best suit them. When people choose their careers, they are sometimes blinded by money and so choose to follow the paper trail. Although money is great and can buy us all the things that will temporarily make us happy, no amount of money can buy time. Time is our most valuable asset and it is something, that while on this earth, we should spend most wisely. You shouldn’t feel like you’re mindlessly wasting your life away

This generation is particularly in trouble because jobs are scarce and many of us will be stuck doing jobs we hate just because we need money. Although this may be the right move for our careers now, this shouldn’t be something we do for the rest of our lives. it is best we search for something we are passionate about. Here are the 10 reasons why you should follow your passion and not the money.

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1. Working for money may seem like good enough motivation for one to keep at their career.

Every morning Monday through Friday you go to work 9 to 5 sitting their punching away the hours stressing about the work at hand. This is not a way to enjoy your life. Working for 8 hours a day 5 times a week at something that makes you miserable is not the way you live life to the fullest.

Many people who choose careers that don’t make them happy will tell you that they would all do it differently if they had the chance. You only have one life, so don’t waste it working somewhere you hate just because of the money.

2. You’re more passionate about the work you are doing.

There is nothing worse than having to wake up every morning during the week to mindlessly go do work you don’t even care about. However, this is never really an issue when you are passionate about the work you do. If you are not forced to work somewhere because of monetary constraint, you truly enjoy what you do and you never really work a day in your life.

3. You can relate more to the work and come up with better ideas.

Being forced to do work is one of the most draining experiences. While there are times at every job where you may feel the work may be draining and dull, you have to realize that not every day is going to be an enjoyable one. There are highs and lows, but when you are passionate about the work you you look past the dull days. Your creative process is also different. You are more inclined to come up with creative ideas when you like what you do.

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4. Work doesn’t feel like it’s forced upon you.

When you value money over your overall health and your passion, you will find yourself in an endless cycle of misery. Work no longer becomes a career or a journey, but more of a taxing nuisance on your mind and body that has to get done.

Every day that you go to work with this mindset you begin to hate your job more and more. While many people feel that they must work hard to retire and have money to enjoy themselves, what’s the point of enjoying yourself in your later years when you spent your life being miserable?

5. No matter how much money you make, nothing will help you overcome the feeling of doing something you hate.

Many accountants come into corporate America, put in reckless hours during the week and make a great paycheck on pay day. Many of them have all this money piled up, but they never really get to enjoy the fruits of their labor because their labor takes up most of their lives.

Many of them hate their jobs because they aren’t really passionate about what they do. Is there a worse feeling than doing something you hate? Eventually this hatred will cause stress and in the long run, it will have lasting effects on your health.

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6. You are more inclined to work later hours.

When you work somewhere that you are passionate about, putting in later hours isn’t as much of a burden as it is when you don’t like what you are doing. To you, putting in the extra hours doesn’t hurt as much because you don’t feel like you are forced to do it, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

Every industry has a busy season and without a doubt there will come a time when you will need to put in the extra hours. Will it be easier for you to work longer on something you can relate to or something you can’t stand doing?

7.You are willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.

Certain obligations at your work will require you to go above and beyond the call of duty. In certain times during the busy seasons, you may be asked to do certain tasks that are not part of your everyday schedule. It is much easier for you to put in the extra work if it’s something you actually care about. Because you are passionate about your job, you will be willing to put in the extra effort to go beyond what is required of you.

8. No obstacle will stop you from achieving success.

When you really enjoy what you do, nothing will stop you from getting your work done. Because you are passionate about what you do, you feel unstoppable and nothing can obstruct you from achieving greatness. Your passion ignites your work, and like a rocket, it accelerates you past road blocks that may come about. Any obstacle that comes your way is accepted and fought off with a creative solution.

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9. Our working careers will consume most of our lives, so we might as well do something we enjoy.

You will spend a majority of your life working and there is no other way around this fact unless you are born into a wealthy family or marry rich. For the rest of us who weren’t fortunate enough, we will be spending a good portion of our lives working in order to make ends meet.

There is no way around this, so we might as well accept the cards we are dealt. Many people go about this the wrong way because they feel like work is something they have to do rather then something they can enjoy. Once you realize that your career should be something you enjoy, then you will lead a more happy and fulfilling life.

10. You will get more fulfillment when you finally make it.

There are few feelings better than achieving a level of success you set out for yourself. Nothing like crossing off your bucket list of goals you set out for yourself to achieve. When you finally reach the pinnacle, it is that much more enjoyable knowing you got there doing something you love. Remember work doesn’t have to be something that you hate doing, stay true to yourself and always do what makes you happy.